Diamond Head State Monument

Hikers rejoice! Diamond Head State Monument offers breathtaking views overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu. In fact the view is so good, it was used by the US military as a post for preventing attacks against Honolulu.

The trail takes you to the edge of a 300,000 year old crater. While the hike isn’t that long in terms of distance, it can be somewhat challenging due to its ascent. Parts of the trail are over uneven rock, and the 99 steps near the end of the hike are steep. Also, the only water fountains are at the beginning of the trail, so you’ll want to bring a water bottle or bottled water to stay hydrated.

If you plan to hike at Diamond Head State Monument, make sure you arrive enough. While the the gates to the park close at 6:00 PM, no one is permitted to hike after 4:30 PM, as the hike takes about a 1.5-2 hours (round trip). Parking is limited and the park can get busy, so it’s recommended that you arrive well before the 4:30 PM cutoff.